August 28, 2022
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
PRELUDE
led by Dana
WELCOME & GREETING, COMMUNITY LIFE
CALL TO WORSHIP
from Psalm 111
Leader: Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
People: Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
Leader: He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
People: He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
HANDS TO THE HEAVENS
We are Your church
We are Your sons and daughters
We’ve gathered here to meet with You
We lift our eyes
We lay our hearts before You
Expectant here for You to move
chorus:
With our hands to the Heavens
Alive in Your presence
O God, when You come
So pour out Your Spirit
We love to be near You
O God, when You come
You are the way
The truth and life we live for
Oh how we long to know You more
bridge:
Come like a rushing wind
Come light the fire again
Come like a burning flame
Have Your way
Have Your way
CCLI Song # 6460471 CCLI License # 349090
Bryan Brown | Jason Ingram | Kari Jobe | Tofer Brown© 2013 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Razor and Tie Music Publishing
GOSPEL LESSON
(Stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel.)
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
THY HOLY WINGS, DEAR SAVIOR
Thy holy wings, dear Savior,
Spread gently over me;
And through the long night watches
I’ll rest secure in Thee,
Whatever may betide me,
Be Thou my hiding place,
And let me live and labour
Each day, Lord, by Thy grace.
Thy pardon, Savior, grant me,
And cleanse me in Thy blood;
Give me a willing spirit,
A heart both clean and good.
O take into Thy keeping
Thy children great and small,
And while we sweetly slumber
Enfold us one and all.
Covenant Hymnal, #80
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Ruth 3:1-18
Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. 2 Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman! 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin.” 10 He said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first; you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not be afraid, I will do for you all that you ask, for all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman. 12 But now, though it is true that I am a near kinsman, there is another kinsman more closely related than I. 13 Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then, as the Lord lives, I will act as next-of-kin for you. Lie down until the morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning but got up before one person could recognize another, for he said, “It must not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Then he said, “Bring the cloak you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her back; then he went into the town. 16 She came to her mother-in-law, who said, “How did things go with you, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”
CHILDREN’S MOMENT
Children 6 and under are dismissed to the gym
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
Don’t lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will direct your paths.
Al-le-lu-ia, Al-le-lu-ia, and
He will direct your paths.
REFLECTING ON THE WORD
The Moral of the Story Is ?
Pastor Denise
NEVER WALK ALONE
You are my shepherd faithful forever
Your hand is strong where my faith is weak
Close as my heartbeat, You won’t forsake me
You are the love that will carry me
pre-chorus
And I won’t be afraid
I will trust Your heart and say
chorus
I will never, ever, ever walk alone
You are with us for us, always holding on
Though I wander, Your love goes further
You are my hope and future
I will never walk alone
Questions may haunt us, casting a shadow
Still You’re the hope and the fire in me
I will not tremble, I will not stumble
You are my courage, my bravery
bridge
Surely Your goodness and mercy
Will light up the way set before me
Surely Your grace will pursue me
All my days, all my days
CCLI Song # 7047088 CCLI License # 349090
Rend Collective © Thankyou Music
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER
We continue to pray for: Nikolas Arden, Messian Burgos, Vira Coszach, Joan Erickson, Pedro Gomez, the congregation of Grace Evangelical Covenant Church, Art & Rosa Hamilton, Sarah Hill, Mary McKirchy, Shirley Nicholas, Mary Smith, the Staurseth family, and Esther Stoel
Ministries & Mission
Janet & Ronald Ziegelbaur, serving in Cameroon, Renee Nicholas, serving as the national director for InterVarsity’s Graduate Healthcare Ministries
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
GIVING OF OUR TITHES & OFFERING
giving opportunities: ravenscov.org/giving/
Zelle® to: giving@administrator
OFFERTORY
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
arr. Ken Medema
led by Cynthia and Erin
DOXOLOGY & PRAYER
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME
All the way my Savior leads me–
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me–
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev’ry trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me–
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
Covenant Hymnal, #402
BENEDICTION
L: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
POSTLUDE
Moderato Terth Toni
F. X. Murschhauser
led by Cynthia
INVITATION
We’ll be back here next Sunday. We hope you can join us. Information on ravenscov.org.
music as we go, by axiom.brass
Worship update
Due to an uptick in Covid-19 cases in Chicago, the Leadership Team of Ravenswood Covenant Church recommends mask use during services, but this is not mandatory.
Ravenswood Covenant will continue to livestream worship each week on YouTube and Facebook; this is now a permanent feature of our ministry, so Sunday morning worship will remain accessible to anyone who has Internet access.
Cooler Sunday
Our third and final Cooler Sunday gathering of summer 2022 will take place after worship today. Hamburgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill will be provided. Please bring a side dish, chips, or dessert to pass. Plan to join us!
Sunday School 2022-23
We are starting to plan for the fall schedule. On Sunday, September 11 we will have our kick-off to the fall Sunday School season, and the worship service will move to the school-year 10:45 am hour. We will have our kick-off breakfast at 9:30 am before worship at 10:45 that Sunday. The first Sunday of Sunday School classes is Sunday, September 18.
Lorri and Eli will teach the early elementary kids and Bekah will teach the older elementary age. If you are interested in helping with preschool age kids either before worship in the gym or during Children’s Church please contact Pastor Denise.
Lake County Symphony Orchestra concert
Cynthia Arden invites you to attend a Lake County Symphony Orchestra concert entitled, “Broadway and Hollywood Blockbusters” on Sunday, September 11 at 7 pm at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, IL 60047. Tickets are $20 presale, $25 at the door, and children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com.
Women’s luncheon
Women, please save this date: Saturday, September 24, for a special luncheon and fun in the fellowship hall. From 11 am to 1 pm there will be a time for food and fun! There will be gifts, food demonstrations, plenty of opportunities for fellowship and laughter, and a visiting dietician will be speaking. The cost is $5, which can be paid to Colleen Carlson or to Gregory Sager in the church office. Plan to attend and to bring a friend!
Farmers market
Our farmers market continues to be a success, as we’ve settled into a post-Covid average of about 400-500 adults per market, with a large and enthusiastic contingent of children for whom the market is a high point of every week.
The farmers market season will run until our annual fall festival on Wednesday, October 12. This year’s markets will run from 4 pm to 7 pm, and as always they will be held in the church parking lot.
We are still looking for market volunteers to help out with set-up, assisting with kids activities, and take-down on Wednesdays. If you can assist, even if it’s only for one Wednesday, please contact Bekah Carlson, Pastor Denise, or the church office.
Aid for Ukrainian refugees
Jeremy and Amanda Foster, who attend our church, have a direct connection to a mission that is serving refugees who have fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Jeremy’s parents Don and Beatrice Foster are in Hazebrouck, France as tentmaker missionaries and have prepared rooms in their home for refugees coming from Ukraine.
If you would like to donate to help the Fosters pay for extra food and supplies, please give a donation to Ravenswood Covenant that is specially designated for Ukrainian refugees. If you would like to give directly online, the website for the Fosters is https://ukraine.la-ferme-de-la-papote.com/ .
The Covenant denomination is also raising funds for Ukraine through Covenant World Relief. Here is the link if you would like to donate through the Covenant’s program. https://giving.covchurch.org/priorities-detail/ukraine-response
Thursday evening adult Bible study
The weekly Bible study will not meet for the next two Thursdays. It will resume on Thursday, September 15.
Join Us in Sponsoring a Student in the NPTS SRA Program
North Park’s School of Restorative Arts offers a MA in Christian Ministry and Restorative Arts, allowing free and incarcerated students to study together. This unique degree program is designed to prepare individuals for ministries of restoration in contexts susceptible to violence and includes courses in trauma, race relations, nonviolent communication, conflict transformation, restorative practices, and transformative justice, in addition to Bible, theology, and history. In partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections, this four-year degree is currently offered at Stateville Correctional Center with 80 incarcerated men and a first cohort of 20 women at Logan Correctional Center.
We, Ravenswood Covenant Church, have partnered with North Park Theological Seminary by committing to sponsor a student in this program. To help us support an SRA student please send a check to church or give online and in the memo line write: “SRA Sponsorship.”
RECC preaching schedule for September
September 4: Gregory Sager
September 11: Pastor Denise
September 18: Mark Safstrom
September 25: Pastor Mark
Scripture for next Sunday
Luke 1:46-55
Ruth 4:1-22
Art Used in this Bulletin: Steve Erspamer, SM
Clip Art for Year A © 1992, Archdiocese of Chicago.
Our church exists to love and worship God, and love and care for others. By God’s grace, we commit to help people find and follow Jesus Christ through the guidance of His Spirit and His word.